Four visitor centres in the electorate of Central Wheatbelt have been successful in the latest round of funding through the Regional Visitor Centre Sustainability Grant Program (RVCSGP).
Beverley, Quairading, Dowerin Community Resource Centre and the Shire of Merredin were four of the thirty-six regional communities set to benefit from the $4.2m over three years, made possible by Royalties for Regions.
Member for Central Wheatbelt Mia Davies MLA said the program was helping visitor centres remain viable and adapt to a changing tourism landscape.
“Visitor centres play a vital role in boosting regional tourism, employment and skills development,” Ms Davies said.
“Overall, visitor centres employ more than 900 local people and inject $117 million into the State’s economy annually.”
Ms Davies said research showed that travellers tended to spend more time and money in an area when they used a visitor centre.
“Tourists spent $4.5 billion in regional Western Australia in 2015-16. By offering a warm welcome and a wealth of local knowledge, visitor centres play an integral role in this important industry,” she said.
Ms Davies said more than $1 million was available in the 2016-17 round to assist regional visitor centres throughout the State with sustainability initiatives such as accreditation, renewable energy, on-site attractions, technology and interior redesign.
For more information visit: www.tourism.wa.gov.au/otherfunding.
For media enquiries please contact Mia Davies on 08 9041 1702 (Merredin office), 08 9622 2871 (Northam office) or email mia.davies@mp.wa.gov.au.
